Can you believe it? It’s February already! I don’t know about you but January went by way too fast. And if you’re like most people, some of your “resolutions” may have already dropped off your radar.
Me? Yep – an unexpected bout of illness – the “thing” that’s going around found its way into my body most likely on a flight back from AZ where I was attending a conference! Three weeks into it the remnants are still slowing me down.
And you know what?
Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
While I don’t like being out of commission, and of course, I feel badly about not being as responsive as I usually am, those negative feelings aren’t going to boost my immune function at all!
And if you know me, you know I talk about the impact of positive and negative emotions on your immune system.
In this fast-paced world, we rarely give ourselves permission to slow down, to be present, to truly experience the moment we’re in.
Yet research shows that our effectiveness as leaders – and our overall well being – improves dramatically when we take intentional pauses throughout our day.
These moments of presence allow us to:
- Reset our nervous system
- Make better decisions
- Connect more authentically with others
- Access our creativity and wisdom
- Respond rather than react (that’s my biggie!)
I’ve found that even a 60-second conscious pause can make a world of difference, especially during stressful times.
Even better – Positive Leaders know to take 2 – 3 whole minutes to slow down, breathe, reevaluate, and rejuvenate.
That’s why I’ve developed the “Power Pause” exercise, one of the Positivity Practices in my Positive Leadership Course. – a simple but powerful tool that helps you return to center when you need it most. Like how about right now?
Would you like a copy?
Just reply to this email with “Power Pause” in the subject line, and I’ll send you this practical exercise to finding your calm center (and maybe a new point of view) in the midst of chaos.
Remember, being present isn’t about slowing down forever – it’s about being fully available for the moments that matter most.
Be well and stay positive!
JoAnna
